Residential Solar
0% Solar Loan
Solar FAQs
What is Net Metering?
Net metering is an agreement by which a customer with solar panels is allowed to transfer surplus power produced by their panels onto the grid. That excess power is purchased by SELCO, resulting in a credit on their bill. At the end of the monthly billing period, the residential customer-generator’s account will be credited for the electricity provided into the SELCO system at an amount equal to the designated retail rate (per kWh). These customer-generators will receive monetary credits to their electric account for their excess generation based on their class of service.
Does SELCO offer Net Metering?
Yes. SELCO has a residential net metering policy. However, this policy is only applicable for projects up to a certain size and is only applied to panels owned by the customer. This means projects constructed through panel leasing agreements and/or third-party power purchase agreements (PPAs) do not qualify for net metering and are not permissible under existing policy.
Is the net metering rate “even”, “full” or “equal”?
Yes, SELCO credits the full retail rate. Please see details in the below table.
Effective 03/04/2016: All interconnect agreements submitted for net metering will be subject to future revisions of SELCO’s net metering tariff. This includes revisions to the tariff that may credit the wholesale rate for electricity generated onto our system. Effective 05/01/2016: All net metered interconnections to the SELCO grid will be subject to a monthly Distribution Standby Charge of $2.50 per kW of installed solar capacity.
What other solar incentives exist for SELCO Customers?
We encourage all customers to take advantage of any local, state or federal solar tax credits that might be available.
Can SELCO recommend any solar installers?
No. SELCO does not recommend installers. Be sure whomever you hire is a licensed contractor/electrician and that they pull all required building and electrical permits from the Town of Shrewsbury.
Do I have to own the solar panels?
Yes. Residential SELCO customers wishing to install solar must:
1. Own the home where the panels will be installed.
2. Own the panels.
3. Own all power produced.
You cannot enter into panel leasing arrangements or third-party power purchase agreements within the SELCO service territory. This means that you may not lease solar panels from any company that will retain ownership of the panels or the power generated.
Is there a system size limit?
No, SELCO does not have a stated system capacity limitation, but each application undergoes an engineering review that evaluates proposed size, customer usage and transformer loading.
Additional Resources
- SELCO Solar Loan Participant’s Agreement
- SELCO Solar Interconnection Application & Work Request
- Customer Net Metering Policy 3-19
- Questions to Ask When Considering a Solar Power System for Your Home
- SELCO Solar Guide – Understanding How to Connect to SELCO’s Electrical Distribution System
- Solar Terms & Conditions
Net Metering Electric Rates
| Rate | Bill Code | Customer Charge Per Bill Period | Distribution Rate Per kWh | Distribution Standby Charge | Demand (GS-1 and GS-2 Only) Per kW | Generation and Transmission Adjustment Per kWh | Transmission Charge Per kWh | NYPA Credit Per kWh | Standard (Generation) Service Per kWh | Total Price without Customer Charge - Per kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NR-1 | NR-1 | $11.55 | $0.0412 | $2.50 per kW | $0.00000 | $0.0263 | -$0.0066 | $0.066 | $0.1269 | |
| NC-1 | NC | $12.00 | $0.0437 | $2.50 per kW | $0.0000 | $0.02070 | $0.0000 | $0.066 | $0.1304 | |
| NMGS-1 | NMGS-1 | $50.00 | $0.0223 | $2.00 per kW in excess of 50% Demand Billing | $4.45 | $0.0000 | $0.0195 | $0.0000 | $0.066 | $0.1078 |
| NMGS-2 | NMGS-2 | $120.00 | $0.0185 | $2.00 per kW in excess of 50% Demand Billing | $4.45 | $0.0000 | $0.0191 | $0.0000 | $0.066 | $0.1036 |
Rate Definitions
| Charge | Definition |
|---|---|
| Customer Charge: | is a monthly fixed charge which applies to all customers. It is designed to recover costs related to metering, meter reading, billing and other administrative costs. |
| Transmission Charge: | is the charge that recovers the cost to transport electricity from remote generating facilities where it is produced, to the SELCO service territory. |
| Generation and Transmission Adjustment (GTA): | is an adjustment, either a charge or a credit, to the Generation and Transmission Charges to reflect changes in the cost of power purchased by SELCO and transported to the SELCO service territory. The Generation and Transmission Adjustment will be calculated periodically in accordance with MDPU Schedule No. 179. |
| Distribution Charge: | is the charge that recovers the cost of delivering electric power over SELCO’s local distribution system to the customer's location. |
| Distribution Standby Charge: | is the charge to net metered installations to ensure that the cost of maintaining the electrical distribution system is shared fairly among all of SELCO’s rate payers including those who have reduced their financial contribution towards these services by replacing some of the energy purchased from SELCO with energy generated by customer owned equipment. Customers with on-site generation continue to receive all of the services provided by the electric distribution system during times when it is required to supply electricity when the on-site generation is not available as well as times when the on-site generation is exported to the SELCO distribution system. |
| Generation Charges: | is the cost for the electric power produced at power plants or purchased from the wholesale market. This charge covers the general categories of expenses including fuel or energy costs and capacity costs. |
| Farm Discount: | Customers who meet the eligibility requirements for being engaged in the business of agriculture or farming as defined in M.G.L. Chapter 128 Section 1a at their service location are eligible for an additional discount from their distribution service rates. The discount will be calculated as 10% of the customer's total bill for service provided by the company before application of this discount. Customers who meet the requirements of this section must provide the company with appropriate documentation of their eligibility under this provision. |
| Terms and Conditions: | The Shrewsbury Electric's terms and conditions in effect from time to time, where not inconsistent with this rate, are incorporated as part of this rate. |
| New York Power Authority (NYPA): | Residential customers may be eligible for a credit as a result of purchasing capacity and energy from NYPA. |
